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A Star in the Room: Consistency with Kirk Franklin

Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin
celebrates the consistency in music and family

Kirk Franklin was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted by his 64-year-old Aunt, Gertrude Franklin.

“I had a rough childhood,” says Franklin. “I didn’t know my mother or my father. I had a lot of abandonment issues. So, I got into a lot of trouble and didn’t do well in school. But Gertrude really believed in my musical gifts. So, from the time I was four I would take piano lessons once a week.”

Gertrude paid for his piano lessons by recycling aluminum cans and old newspapers.

“Unfortunately, Gertrude died before she heard any of the music that I recorded. So, she didn’t get a chance to see me get my life together. I kind of live with that ‘chasing the ghost’ type of energy in my life.”

Franklin organized “The Family” in 1992, forming a 17-voice choir with neighborhood friends and associates. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in 1993. Eventually earning platinum album sales, it spent nearly two years on the Gospel music charts, as well as moving up the R&B and Pop charts.

It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.

The group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, sealing Franklin’s stardom. The album was certified 2X Platinum, and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Since his debut in 1992, Franklin has received six platinum certifications on his albums, including the 3X Platinum “Gods Property,” which won him a second Grammy for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.

Franklin has worked with a variety of artists over the years, including Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Bono, and TobyMac. The winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and 14 GRAMMY Awards, Franklin states, “I really believe it happened because I am a firm believer in the message I preach.”

“One thing about music is that you can’t have a bunch of musicians playing what they want to play,” explained Franklin. “They have to play what the song demands. So, what you don’t want to feel is that everyone is playing different notes, because it’s not a melody… it’s not a nice harmony. And it doesn’t sound good, nor does it feel good. The star in the room is always the song.”

“What I love about Park Place is that the star in the room every time you go is always the client. You can tell that they have been rehearsing, that everybody’s playing the same note.”

“Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Our clients tell us fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable. We want people to think of Park Place as My Place.”

“Coming from a past where a lot of things in my childhood were very inconsistent, consistency has been something I have always strived for,” Franklin concludes.

“Park Place is ‘My Place’ because they make me feel like a classic song.”

 

 

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Your Rights. Your Choice: Choosing Your Collision and Hail Repair Shop

When it comes to choosing your place for hail or collision repair,  some carefully worded phrasing and confusing verbiage from an insurance could imply that you do not have the right to choose your repair facility.  In an effort to empower our clients through what can sometimes be a frustrating situation (especially in the event of a collision),  Park Place BodyWerks will not only provide 100% guaranteed repairs with OEM certified parts and technicians, but our team of experts will guide you through the process and facilitate communication with the insurance company.

TRUE OR FALSE? The repair shop you want is not on the insurance network shop list, so an insurance company can’t guarantee the repairs?”

FALSE. By law, insurance companies cannot tell customers where to go for repairs. The Texas Department of Insurance Bill of Rights lists regulations for auto insurance claims.
 
Here are 7 things we recommend you consider before choosing your repair facility for your collision and hail repairs:
 

1. You choose where you want your vehicle towed and repaired. It’s the law.

2. You only need one estimate to determine the amount of damage.
3. Review your car insurance policy especially regarding car rentals.
4. Verify the insurance company pays for all covered repairs.
5. Take care in choosing the right repair shop because your safety depends on it.
6. Insurance companies have deadlines they must follow regarding the claims process
7. Ask questions until you get all of them answered. This is a step toward picking the right body shop.
 
Choosing a certified collision repair center is your choice. So learn more on how Park Place BodyWerks is here to not only provide top-quality repairs, but also assist you throughout the process with your insurance.
 
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Park Place Racing Update: Seefried Subs-In at Mid-Ohio

Dallas (April 30,2019) – Marco Seefried will take over driving duties for Park Place Motorsports Team Principal Patrick Lindsey in the No. 73 Park Place Porsche entry at this weekend’s Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Round 4 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Lindsey excuses himself to continue his championship hunt at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Saturday, May 4. 
 
Seefried joins Porsche Works Driver Patrick Long in Park Place Motorsports’ hunt for a first win with the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 R while aiming to capitalize on its points standings. After two rounds of endurance racing Park Place Motorsports is sixth in the GT Daytona class, team points championship. Sixth is the highest points position Park Place Motorsports has held this early in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
 
The IMSA series first appearance at Mid-Ohio was last year. Park Place Motorsports did not partake in the debut as the No. 73 Porsche was running endurance and select races only. This race is Park Place Motorsports first appearance in the GTD class at Mid-Ohio since running in the Grand-Am series. Park Place Motorsports will rely on Long’s previous experience with Wright Motorsports for greater understanding of car handling at the 2.4-mile track.
 
Park Place Motorsports makes the switch from endurance racing to sprint racing at Mid-Ohio. This is the first of eight sprint races on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. The shortened race format brings a new feel to the series with a keen focus now on perfect pit stops and bringing the car up to pace as quickly as possible. With a GTD field featuring 15 entries, the Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio will be anyone’s race.
 
Patrick Lindsey, Team Principal
“I’m happy we can have someone with the pace and experience Marco brings as my replacement,” Lindsey said. “He’s someone I trust, and that’s half the battle when finding a replacement. You need someone who has experience in the car, who has the pace and who can bring it back into pit lane in one piece. I would have loved to have been there with my boys, but I have another battle across the pond. I’m hoping this weekend goes well and Project 1 can go to Le Mans with a greater points gap.” 
 
Patrick Long, Porsche Works Driver
‘We’re headed to Mid-Ohio for sprint racing with Marco Seefried in the car,” Long said “He’s someone I ran with back in 2015, and I consider him a great friend, so I’m looking forward to driving with him in Patrick’s absence. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is a car we’re still getting our hands around, but after our strong finish at Sebring we like our chances at a tighter more technical track.”
 
Calendar
Park Place Motorsports’ weekend begins Friday, May 3, a day packed with practice. Saturday, May 4 features a final morning practice session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series before qualifying. GTD kicks off qualifying with the 15-minute session beginning at 11:40 a.m. EDT, the session can be viewed live on IMSA.tv. Sunday, May 5 is race day. The Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio is set to see the green flag wave at 1:40 p.m. The race is aired on NBC Sports and IMSA.tv. For a detailed schedule of the weekend visit http://imsa.com.

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Park Place Partners with Arlington ISD

Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager, Terry Powell, recently presented Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent, Michael Hill, with a check in support of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation.

Education is one of Park Place’s main pillars of giving back and since 2017, the dealership has donated $10,000 to the Arlington ISD Education Foundation. In addition, Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s Circle of Excellence held a coat drive and other initiatives in support of the district.

Located at I-20 and Collins in Arlington, the 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership recently showcased the all-new 2019 A-Class, an entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. Test drives are available for the A-Class and all other available models at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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A Short History of the Porsche Panamera

When you open up the history books, there isn’t a ton of dust when you turn the page to the Porsche Panamera. The Panamera is on the verge of its ten year anniversary release date, the accolades continue to pile up. If you’ve ever been behind the wheel of the four door sedan, you are familiar with the scenario of the Panamera turning heads just as often as one turns corners. As the Panamera reaches its Ten Year Challenge, we look back at some amazing moments in the popular Porsche’s rise to fame.

For a look at all 2018 Porsche Panamera Inventory visit us at Porsche Dallas or Porsche Grapevine.

2010 Porsche Panamera Enters the Market

The 2010 Panamera was released to the public with plenty of generational fanfare as Porsche 911 drivers and luxury sedan owners both flocked to purchase the performance rookie of the year.

Notable Recognition: 2009 Bloomberg Car of the Year, 2010 Car and Driver Editor’s Choice, 2012 – 2013 Edmunds Best Retained Value Award & 2013 KBB Best Resale Value Award

Refresh Button Pressed in 2014

As legend grew, the sedan enjoyed exterior enhancements, evolving engine tuning, and iconic interior impressions. Drivers loved the classic, athletic feel as passengers appreciated the comfortable seating arrangement. The auto market and media outlets also noticed the trends, as it racked up several more awards along the way.

Notable Recognition: 2014 Robb Report – Best of the Best – Sedans (Turbo S), 2014 ALG Premium Executive Car, 2014 Edmunds Most Popular, 2014 Edmunds Best Retained Value, 2016 KBB Best Resale Value: High – End Luxury Car

Next Top Remodel: 2017 Porsche Panamera – Current

This Porsche came down the runway featuring an all new look to complement it’s thrilling, driving personality with the 2017 release.

Notable Recognition: 2017 – 2019 KBB Best Resale Value: High-End Luxury Car, 2018 KBB 5 Year Cost to Own Award: High-End Luxury Car, 2019 Motorweek Best Dream Machine

Porsche’s four door icon continues to be an iconic figure during its second generation within the Porsche lineup. Park Place Porsche and Park Place Grapevine offer several 2018 Porsche Panamera models available. For more details on inventory selection and pricing options, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Four Reasons Why the 2019 Maserati Ghibli is a Summer Must Have

As the days get warmer and your summer drives get longer, 2019 Maserati Ghibli could be the luxury upgrade you’re looking for.  In this short blog, we reveal a quartet of reasons why the Ghibli would be a winning decision for your next My Place purchase.

Safety

For many Park Place clients, safety is a top priority. The Maserati Ghibli has taken safety seriously by offering standard and enhanced options. The Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) is available for drivers who are looking for further peace of mind while on the road.

A 360 surround camera provides a clear, 360 degree view around a Ghibli with additional parking support. For further traffic support, traffic sign recognition identifies speed limits and temporary speed limit signs that are displayed in the instrument cluster. If you’re driving out of town, the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems could provide support for you in areas you may be unfamiliar with.

Performance

Whether you have a new for efficiency or speed, the 2019 Maserati Ghibili will fulfill your needs. Two engine options are available with a 345 HP twin-turbo V6 and a 424 HP twin-turbo V6.

The 345 HP is a V6 engine with 369 lb-ft torque that accelerates a Ghibli from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Each driving mode of Normal, Sport, Off Road, and I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency) provide professional personalities to match your desired driving style.

An enhanced 424 twin-turbo V6 with 428 lb-ft torque is available in the Ghibli S and all-wheel drive Ghibli S Q4. The second variation of the V6 engine reduces the 0-60 time to as low as 4.7 seconds.

Design

Ghibli models are also manufactured to fit the look your sight desires. Maserati offers the Ghibli base model with exterior and interior upgrades available in the luxurious, GranLusso model and the athletic, GranSport vehicle.

The duo continue that great Maserati appeal, however, notable exterior distinctions are seen with exclusive grilles, enhanced wheels, and edgy side & rear profiles. GranLusso and GranSport interiors are also great compliments of each other thanks to individualized seat design plus inviting trim placement.

Inventory

If you’ve strongly considered the Maserati Ghibli, the 2019 models are a fantastic selection. You can now choose out of several Ghiblis available at the Park Place Premier Collection in Dallas. All three variations of the Ghibli, Ghibli S, and Ghibli S Q4 are in stock. You can also upgrade to the GranLusso or GranSport series that again offer an enhanced luxury and sporty experience.

For more details on how you can purchase a 2019 Maserati Ghibli, contact Park Place Premier Collection at 866-249-2885 or view available Ghibli inventory today.

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Park Place Finishes 4th in Long Beach

Park Place Motorsports Driver Alan Brynjolfsson capitalized on his clean racing to finish fourth in the Am class of the SRO GT4 America Sprint Powered by Pirelli series at the GT Long Beach Grand Prix ensuring he claims the lead in the Am Drivers points standing. 
 
While race strategy does not tend to vary significantly in sprint races, Brynjolfsson may have had a bit unusual one. Starting fifth in the No. 7 VOLT Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR, he patiently awaited the Long Beach streets to claim their first victim. His wait was far from long with the first caution coming out seven minutes into the race with a car and debris covering Turn 9. The first restart gave way to the second and final yellow nearly instantaneously. 
 
From the second restart forward Brynjolfsson used his racecraft to gain traction and the Porsche’s agility to fight against the competition. With 25 minutes remaining Brynjolfsson and the No. 7 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman advanced as high as third in the Am class. While the front of the field was packed in the tight confines provided by the street course, Brynjolfsson fell back to fifth and battled back to fourth for the finish in the second street course event of his racing career.
 
“I’m very happy with the way the weekend went,” Brynjolfsson went. “Number one walking away with a clean car and just having a solid performance weekend all weekend. I’m happy with the team. The race went almost perfect from my standpoint, I just wished I had qualified better. That was the big difference in terms of the race finish. Right now, Mike Johnson told me we’re sitting first in both Sprint Am and GT4 Am drivers’ championship, so that’s more important. Today, we got great points toward the championship. It’s been a great experience having my first street courses, St. Pete and Long Beach, back-to-back and leading championships is excellent.”
 
Director of Race Operations Mike Johnson had his eyes on the championship before the street courses knowing it was an opportunity to create a point cushion ahead of the competition.
 
“Right now, I am just happy with how well Alan is driving and how well our team is performing,” Johnson said. “To lead both the GT4 Sprint and Sprint X East Championships in our first season at this point of the year is a real testament to how hard our guys have been working.  Of course, the next race at VIR will really show how organized we are, or are not, as we try to run 4 races in one weekend, but having a win there last year for Alan and Trent in the Mustang gives us some confidence going into the weekend.”

Coming Up Next

Park Place Motorsports next sees SRO GT4 America action in both forms of the GT4 America EAST and GT4 America Sprint at VIRginia International Raceway April 26-28. Park Place Motorsports will compete with Brynjolfsson in the No. 7 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR in the Sprint series. In the same weekend, he will be joined by co-driver Trent Hindman in the No. 77 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR in the EAST series. Watch the race with the live stream or follow live timing with http://gt4-america.com.

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Range Rover SUV Experiment Continues with 2019 Velar

The phrase avant-garde is defined as new and unusual or experimental ideas. Following the first edition release last year, the 2019 Range Rover Velar returns with more in store, bringing avant-garde to your luxury SUV. While Range Rover conducts another amazing SUV experiment, here’s why the Velar should be tested by you.

Interactive Design

A full 12 months after receiving the World Car Design of the Year in 2018, the Range Rover Velar has continued to age gracefully. The 2019 Velar fills a gap between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport.

For those who prefer simplicity, drivers will enjoy the minimalist skills needed to operate engaging technology inside the front cabin. Two 10 inch, high-definition touchscreens are accessible to the driver and front passenger. The two vertical screens allow for navigation guidance to be visualized on the top screen, while audio is streamed on the bottom display.

The stylish SUV also provides a unique blend of compact mid-size swagger for those needing a vehicle for daily city driving or weekend off-roading.  The Sports Command Driving Position creates enough visibility for drives needing additional clarity while driving.

Capability Rules

If traveling is important to you, Range Rover’s All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Intelligent Drive Dynamics (IDD) systems are available as standard. The duo supports engine torque distribution that provides the essential power to perform under any situation. The torque is transferred to the front and rear wheels that also create the necessary traction in a variety of road and weather conditions.

The two systems together are specifically crafted for the Velar to handle low traction scenarios such as snowy and wet grassland climates, but also offer the best performing with high terrain driving.

Land Rover also patented Hill Descent Control (HDC) to assist a driver with controlled descents of difficult slopes. An Electronic Air Suspension also adds to the Velar’s stature by adjusting the height in preparation for uneven surfaces.

Powerful Performance

An 8-speed automatic transmission optimizes the gear, fuel efficiency and acceleration while one is behind the wheel. Three engines are available beginning with a 2.0L 4 cylinder that outputs 247HP and 269 lb-ft of torque. The two V6 supercharged engines both provide 332 lb-ft of torque and over 340 HP.

If you are in the market for a new SUV, the Velar is a versatile model that is available in multiple variations. To find which model fits your needs, visit the Range Rover Velar inventory available on parkplace.com or contact the Land Rover DFW dealership for more info at (844) 362-1094.

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Volvo Introduces New Digital Library Focused on Safety

By saving over one million lives, Volvo has made a name for itself in the world of automotive safety. While that statistic is not exclusive to Volvo Cars alone, over the past 60 years, the auto manufacturer has shared its knowledge contributing to the overall increased safety in the automotive industry and to the one million lives saved.

To celebrate 60 years of sharing knowledge within the automotive world, Volvo has introduced a central digital library for the greater automotive community called E.V.A.

Introducing E.V.A

The three-pointed seat belt was introduced by Volvo in 1959 and was an early car safety development across the auto landscape. 60 years later, Volvo Cars continues to share knowledge within the E.V.A. Initiative. E.VA. celebrates car safety research and showcases a fundamental issue of inequalities in car safety development.

“We have data on tens of thousands of real-life accidents, to help ensure our cars are as safe as they can be for what happens in real traffic,” says Lotta Jakobsson, professor and senior technical specialist at Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “This means our cars are developed with the aim to protect all people, regardless of gender, height, shape or weight, beyond the ‘average person’ represented by crash test dummies.”

Volvo’s E.V.A. initiative highlights that women are more at risk for some injuries in a car crash. Due to differences in anatomy between the average man and woman, women are more likely to suffer whiplash injuries.

Volvo’s data, in addition to other studies, supported the brand’s efforts to create virtual crash test dummies in order to better understand accidents. These tests helped develop technologies to better protect both men and women equally.

Safety Technology Responses

The first technology that was found following digital testing was WHIPS whiplash protection introduced in 1998. This technology has led to the exclusive Volvo seat and head restraint design.

New technology is developed to not only meet safety standards or pass regulatory tests, but also to show where safety can be improved based on Volvo’s research data and analysis.

Side impact accidents were the main focus during the 1980s. At the time, data showed that too many people were injured in side-impact collisions due to the distance between impact and occupant. Several Volvo innovations followed such as the side impact protection system (SIPS), side airbags, and inflatable curtains.

Recent data from Volvo Cars has shown an issue with the lumbar spine, or lower back, injuries across all people, regardless of gender and size. Further analysis drove Volvo’s focus on the dangers of run-off-road injuries. The resulting technology is an energy absorber in the seats, first introduced on the XC90 and now on all SPA-based cars.

Next Level Safety

You too can enjoy the next-level safety advancements today by visiting Park Place Volvo or search for your next Volvo. To ensure that your current Volvo is maintained to the best standards, you can also schedule your next Volvo service appointment.

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Volvo Care Keys and New Top Speeds Make For Safer Car Sharing

In an effort to realize their Vision 2020, Volvo Cars introduced speed restrictions and a new product concept called “Care Key” that is standard on all cars for safe car sharing, to help address and highlight the dangers of speeding. 

TOP SPEEDS: 112 MPH

World leader in vehicle safety, Volvo Cars, is sending a strong and very loud message about the dangers of speeding.  Early March 2019, Volvo Cars announced its commitment to address the growing dangers of speeding by reducing the top speeds on all of their cars to 112 mph.  This new speed restriction will first appear in 2020 with Model Year 2021 vehicles, and aligns with the company’s commitment to protect their drivers. 

“Volvo is a leader in safety: we always have been and we always will be,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive, Volvo Car Group. “Because of our research we know where the problem areas are when it comes to ending serious injuries and fatalities in our cars. And while a speed limitation is not a cure-all, it’s worth doing if we can even save one life.”

This update is in line with their ‘Vision 2020’ which is easily one of the most, if not the most, ambitious safety promise in the Automotive Industry.  Vision 2020 aims to reduce and eliminate any fatalities or major injuries in a Volvo vehicle by 2020.  

VOLVO CARE KEY

Volvo Cars introduces Care Key as standard on all cars for safe car sharing

Care Key is similar in that it allows you set top speeds with the key, ensuring any drivers sharing a vehicle (like a newly licensed teenager) cannot go above the speed limit. Not only is this supposed to protect your investment in a Volvo, but also the passengers turned drivers you care for most. 

The benefits of these two safety updates could surpass just safety, but also offer financial benefits to Volvo Cars Drivers. The luxury manufacturer is inviting insurance companies to the table to discuss special offers and incentives for those that are benefiting by investing in Volvo in the next few years as these safety measures are implemented.  Mr. Samuelsson pointed out that safer technology being included in their future models should have only a positive impact on insurance premiums. 

Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars President & Chief Executive

“We believe that a car maker has a responsibility to help improve traffic safety,” said Mr. Samuelsson. “Our recently announced speed limit fits that thinking and the Care Key is another example. Many want to be able to share their car with friends and family, but are unsure about how to make sure they are safe on the road. The Care Key provides one good solution and extra peace of mind.”

 

Now will these initiatives change consumer behaviors for safer roads? While that’s the hope, it’s clear that Volvo Cars is serious about starting the conversion about a possible manufacturer obligation to their customers and making the roads safer for their drivers, co-drivers, and passengers alike.

Stay tuned to Volvo Cars and to our blog for continued coverage of Volvo’s commitment to vehicle safety as more technology and measures are introduced to help Vision 2020 come to fruition.